Rain disrupts Chevrons, Sri Lanka ODI

Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

THE first One Day International (ODI) between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka had a disappointing end as rain disrupted the proceedings at the R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo leading to the match being called off yesterday.

Persistent rains in the second innings of the match as the Chevrons were chasing saw the match being called off and being a no result game leaving everything to play for in the next two matches.

Zimbabwe had a sigh of relief as they were struggling on 12/2 at the time the game was called off. Both sides will have a chance to make amends tomorrow for the second game of the three match series.

At the time the game was called off, only four overs were played in the second innings with Zimbabwe needing over 250 runs with eight wickets in hand.

The hosts, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first and were restricted to 273/9 in their 5p overs by a fiery Zimbabwean bowling unit before things got bad for the Chevrons with the bat as they were on 12/2 in four overs.

In yesterday’s match, there were two debutants in the Chevrons team. Off-spinner Tapiwa Mufudza and fast bowler Faraz Akram got their ODI debuts for the Chevrons and was not a bad start to their careers in the longer version of the game.

Akram was one of the most successful bowler for the Chevrons in yesterday’s encounter, finishing with figures of 2/58 in his 10 over spell while the experienced left arm seamer Richard Ngarava also picked up two scalps for just 39 runs in 6,4 overs. Another experienced fast bowler, Blessing Muzarabani also claimed two wickets, while giving away 62 runs in his 10 overs.

Star all rounder Sikandar Raza picked up one wicket took one scalp for 41 runs in 10 overs. Despite not taking a wicket it was a good debut match for Mufudza who, in 10 overs, went for 37 runs. He only conceded one boundary in his spell.

It was Sri Lanka’s vice captain, Charith Asalanka who stood up with the bat for the home side, scoring a brilliant ton. Coming in to bat at number five, Asalanka made a brilliant 101 runs off 95 balls.

The new Lankan ODI skipper, Kusal Mendis fell four runs short off his half century on 46 runs from 48 balls while Sadeera Samarawicrama also fell in the 40s on 41 runs from 31 balls.

At the time the match was called off, Zimbabwe had lost the wicket of opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for a golden duck and skipper Craig Ervine also for a duck. Ervine had faced four balls.

The two wickets were both taken by Dilshan Madushanka. Kamunhukamwe was straight bowled while Ervine was caught on the slips by Sahan Arachchige.

The second match of the series is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue and will be another day-night game. It starts at 11am (Zimbabwean time). – @brandon_malvin